Indoor Band Concert in Darkened Auditorium & Outdoor Marching Competitions How would this lens be for taking photos at a band concert in a darkened auditorium? The other use I would have for this lens would be marching band competitions where I would be sitting in a football stadium and using a monopod or tripod. I was leaning more towards this lens and a 1.4x tele converter instead of going with the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. Indoor Band Concert in Darkened Auditorium & Outdoor Marching Competitions How would this lens be for taking photos at a band concert in a darkened auditorium? The other use I would have for... » Read More Indoor Band Concert in Darkened Auditorium & Outdoor Marching Competitions How would this lens be for taking photos at a band concert in a darkened auditorium? The other use I would have for this lens would be marching band competitions where I would be sitting in a football stadium and using a monopod or tripod. I was leaning more towards this lens and a 1.4x tele converter instead of going with the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. « Show Less
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Thanks everyone for your help. You've explained a lot and it really helps. After your explanations, I looked at my past photos. I'm thinking that maybe the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 will fill my needs. Thanks again.
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Yeah buying a zoom lens for indoor low light shooting is where photography starts to become expensive. Canon's 70-200 f2.8L is over a thousand dollars, so depending on how far away from the subject you are, I'd suggest a prime lens at any one of several focal lengths offered at apertures of f1.4, f1.8, or f2.8. I've personally had great success using the 50mm f1.8, but since you're asking about telephoto zoom lenses, it seems you might need a little more reach. The Canon 200mm f2.8L lists for $750, and the 100mm f2 is about $400, and that's about the same price as the 85mm f1.8. So it depends on your needs pretty much. Yeah buying a zoom lens for indoor low light shooting is where photography starts to become expensive. Canon's 70-200 f2.8L is over a thousand dollars, so depending on how far away from the subject you are, I'd suggest a prime lens at any one of several focal lengths offered at apertures of f1.4, f1.8, or f2.8. I've personally had great success using the 50mm f1.8, but since you're asking about telephoto zoom lenses, it seems you might need a little more reach. The Canon 200mm f2.8L lists for $750, and the 100mm f2 is about $400, and that's about the same price as the 85mm f1.8. So it... » Read More Yeah buying a zoom lens for indoor low light shooting is where photography starts to become expensive. Canon's 70-200 f2.8L is over a thousand dollars, so depending on how far away from the subject you are, I'd suggest a prime lens at any one of several focal lengths offered at apertures of f1.4, f1.8, or f2.8. I've personally had great success using the 50mm f1.8, but since you're asking about telephoto zoom lenses, it seems you might need a little more reach. The Canon 200mm f2.8L lists for $750, and the 100mm f2 is about $400, and that's about the same price as the 85mm f1.8. So it depends on your needs pretty much. « Show Less
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Using this lens with the 1.4X teleconverter would be about the same as the Canon 70-300mm as you lose one f/stop with the 1.4x and a little quality. So you would end up with a 100-280mm f/5.6 lens. Either of your choices would work for outdoor day photography. The teleconverter combinations gives you a very sharp f/4 lens for other use.Neither of those lenses are good for use in a darkened auditorium. You need a much faster lens for that, f/2.8 at a minimum, preferably a f/1.8. Look into the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, for your indoor photography. Using this lens with the 1.4X teleconverter would be about the same as the Canon 70-300mm as you lose one f/stop with the 1.4x and a little quality. So you would end up with a 100-280mm f/5.6 lens. Either of your choices would work for outdoor day photography. The teleconverter combinations gives you a very sharp f/4 lens for other use.Neither of those lenses are good for use in a darkened auditorium. You need a much faster lens for that, f/2.8 at a minimum, preferably a f/1.8. Look into the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, for your indoor photography.
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Lori, thanks for the update, I think you'll be very happy with the 85mm f/1.8, let us know how it works for you.
1647405
One thing to keep in mind if using this lens is that it does not have image stabilization (IS). So if your shooting quick action shots; such as soccer, you may want to use a mono or tripod.
1429332
For travel, I like carrying the Canon 15-85mm IS USM. But I also own the 70-200 f/4L IS USM and use it for performances, etc. The 70-200's image quality was very eye opening for me. This lens will show you exactly what your camera is capable of and you will not be able to go back to cheap lenses afterwards.
1429330
I think it would work great for that. The optics are amazing...I took it on a safari and got some amazing photos. The only concern I could potentially see you having is the stop if you are shooting indoors. They make one that opens up further, however it is nearly double the price. I don't typically shoot low light, so I can't give you any advice here. I found it to be a pretty incredible lens.
2118677
this is a very versatile lens however if you are shooting weddings I would recommend a constant aperture through the zoom range. This lens loses light through your zoom range. I would not recommend this lens as a primary for wedding photography. That being said, it is a great lens to have in your arsenal when you learn it's best applications...my advice rent a lens before you buy to make sure...it will cost a but more but in the long run it's better to know a lens will fit your needs than to buy one and be disappointed
101689
I don't have enough information yet....what other lenses do you own, and what camera would you be shooting with? Are you the main photographer? Are you bringing lights or at least a high(er) powered flash unit? This is a great lens for macro use, but with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 this cannot be considered a fast lens at all. While a 50mm lens is fantastic for shooting in a more photojournalistic style, you will probably want something a little longer for portraits (especially if you're using a full-frame digital or film camera). Please respond with what camera(s) you'll be using and what other lenses you own and I'll give you more detail
143450
It wouldn't be my first pick for anything other than macro photography. f/3.5 is pretty slow for indoors (it's like looking into a cave), it isn't a zoom, it doesn't have stabilization, and focus is somewhat slow (comparatively speaking). For portraits, I would prefer the 70-200 f/2.8. It's a perfectly keen lens for macro, though; you can take pictures of the tiniest things!
2260302
In that kind of environment, where you're standing in the dark but the kids on stage are lit, it performs very well. In fact, we had a concert at my church a couple weeks ago and I shot in those precise conditions... and the pictures turned out great! Oh... don't be afraid to bump your ISO, even up to 3200, and you should be fine. ヅ
1545472
It is good for concerts because of low light lens. U can zoom in some and still hold it still for shots. Don't zoom all way out or they will blur. Hold camera still and "take a breath" to not shake camera. Then do final cropping on your computer.
1241571
Its a great all around lense. It produces very sharp images. Portrait shots will definatelly come out crisp but keep in kind that its a 70-300 lense, therefore; distance may be an issue when trying to shoot indoors.
2064344
Thanks for your reply. I need a good lens to photograph swim meets and football, both for children. Maybe I should consider the 70-300. I want sharp pictures.
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I have this lens, I used it for several months before upgrading to the 75-300 IS USM. If you don't want blurry pictures then you will have to spend the money on better tools. I take a lot of bird pictures and was able to track them using the non IS lens but it was very difficult and unless the pools where the competitions are held are in bright light you won't get sharp pictures. I did try using this one at our dance hall, (poor light for pictures) I eventually had to go to a 50 mm 1.4 that does great in low light. You wanting telephoto though, for the money the 75-300 IS at about $450 was the way that I decided to go and I really like what I get now. I have had my t2i for nearly two and a half years. Hope this helps you a little bit. If you want to see a few of my shots with the IS lens. My flickr page is lightninrod49.
795052
This lens is fantastic for daylight sports photography but is going to be much weaker in low light situations than the 2.8 versions. In my particular situation I use a crop-frame camera so I'm especially handicapped in low light. My last attempt was photographing a nighttime car race with stadium lighting. Maybe 1 in 10 shots were satisfactory unless I shot on corners where the cars were slowed down significantly.
1272577
For a general walk-around lens on a crop camera like the Rebels or 40D, etc, I find that 28mm is just too limited in terms of wide angle. Not very good for shooting a room full of people either. 28mm isn't too bad if you're ONLY shooting people. My recommendation would be to go for the 17-50 and get an image stabilized telephoto for longer shots like the Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM or Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS.
31095
Have not taken the camera to a concert, have take it to the out doors. it works great out door but it focus on the closest thing, so if there is dust on the lens it will try to focus on the dust and not what your trying to photograph.
1549361
I use this lens mainly for taking macro pictures of flowers etc with both my Nikon D90 and D7000. I have taken pictures in low light situations and have had noproblem. If I were to take pictures in dance performances though I probably would choose say the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 lens where macro would not necessarily be the issue.Hope this is some help to you.
1294151
I had problems steadying the camera and this lens. It worked great on a tripod but my application was taking pictures at high school football games and marching band competions. I ended up returning it and purchasing the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens. The image stabilization on the zoom lens made a big difference for me.